Ines Sommer

Ines Sommer is a filmmaker, cinematographer, and curator, who has directed and produced experimental shorts and long form documentaries about the arts, women’s issues, human rights, and other topics. Her recent MacArthur Foundation-supported documentary Count Me In takes an engaging look at an experiment in direct democracy where everyday people are empowered to make direct decisions about taxpayer-funded projects in their neighborhoods. Count Me In was produced in collaboration with WTTW Chicago and aired on PBS stations across the nation, as well as the PBS World Channel. Other long form directorial credits include her work-in-progress Seasons of Change on Henry's Farm and the human rights documentary Beneath the Blindfold, a Chicago Reader pick for Best Political Documentary of 2012. In 2016, Ines was featured in New City’s annual FILM 50 - Chicago’s Screen Gems edition.

In addition to creating her own films, Ines has produced numerous commissioned videos and has worked extensively as a freelance cinematographer. Ines' camerawork has been featured in many award-winning broadcast documentaries, including projects for Chicago production companies Kartemquin Films (Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita, In the Family, Hard Earned, and other titles) and Kindling Group (A Doula Story, The Calling, @home, No Small Matter).

Beyond making films, Ines has a longstanding interest in engaging audiences with alternative cinema and advocating on behalf of independent filmmakers. She has held staff positions as an arts administrator, film programmer, and film festival director; was the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Percolator Films; and serves as VP on the Board of Directors of IFP Chicago. Ines holds a MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.